Spark-plug cleaner.



J. C. ANDERSON.

' SPARK PLUG CLEANER. APPLICATION FILED MAR. IL 1911.

Patented Nov. 26,191

ornron JAMES C. ANDERSON, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

SPARK-PLUG CLEANER;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 26, 1918.

Application filed March 12, 1917. Serial No. 154,296.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES CALDWELL ANDERSON, a citizen of the United States, of America, residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spark Plug Cleaners, of which the 'fOllOWing is a specification.

My invention relatesto improvements in spark plugs and means associated therewith to remove carbon and other foreign substances which usually collect in the interior of the plug. Y

My invention is particularly adapted to the well known Anderson type of spark plugs, wherein the insulation between the electrodes is glass, and a deep cavity surrounds the central electrode, although the invention is in no way to be construed as being limited to this or any other particular make of plug. 2

In the Anderson spark plug, the cavity in the glass insulation is tapered, and is joined to the outer shell inside the bottomof the plug, while the central electrode extends through the cavity and the body of insulation above same, and because of the shape and arrangement of the electrodes at the point of spark, it has heretofore been impossible to insert a tool into the cavity and satisfactorily remove the foreign deposit at the joints between the electrodes and the insulation.

To successfully carry out my invention, I provide specially designed electrodes, and so arrange them as to permit of the insertion of a tool in the cavity to insure of the cutting out of the carbon.

With this in view one of the principal objects of my invention is to provide a tool adapted to be centrally inserted between the electrodes to engage the walls of the insulation and the joints between the latter and the electrodes, and to be turned to scrape out the carbon.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tool which will accommodate itself to the walls of the cavity as the latter and the edges of the tool wear away, to insure of all carbon being removed.

The invention also comprehends improve-' ments in the details of construction and arrangement of parts which will be herein after described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawing,

Figure 1 is a partial section of an Anderson spark plug, and a tool inserted in the chamber to remove the carbon therefrom.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section'of the same on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detail view of the'tool.

Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 1, but taken at right angles thereto.

In the drawings, the numeral 1 indicates the outer steel shell'ot a spark plug, formed at its lower end with an inner annular flange 2, and provided with a substantially cylindrical bore 3, flared at its upper end. 4 indicates glass insulation supported in'the shell and fitting snugly 0n the top of the flange 2. The central electrode 5 extends centrally through; the insulation, and projects beyond the bottom of the shell, as shown at 6. In the bottom of the insulation is a cavity The walls of the cavity taper and extend well up into the body of the insulation. The imler peripheral wall of the flange 2, and the wall of the cavity are flush, to form a tight and unobstructed surface between the two elements.

A secondary electrode 9 extends across the lower open end of the shell, and its central portion is formed intoa'yoke 10, which is laterally inclined to one side of the central electrode 5, and is spaced therefrom, as shown at 11.

In a spark plug constructed as described, soot, carboneand the like accumulate in the cavity, and in time the joint between the flange 2, and the bottom of the insulation becomes carbonized, so also the joint between the central electrode 5, and the insulation, with the consequent result that the electrodes are electricallyconnected and the current is short circuited, and an effective spark between the yokelO and the central electrode cannot be obtained.

According to this invention a cleaning tool 12 is associated and standardized with the spark plug, the tool comprising a central hollow stem 13 which forms a 'passageto engage the electrodes 5, a finger piece 14, andlateral blades 15. The side edgesof the blades taper asshown at 16, t correspond to the walls of the tapered cavity, and their upper ends are bent laterally and inwardly, for a purpose to be described.

The blades are preferably formed from a single piece of thin metal secured to one side of the stem 13. The diametrical portions of the metal which form the blades, extend from the stem to one side the axis of the latter, as shown clearly in Fig. 2. To indicate to the operator that the tool is being properly positioned when it is inserted in the cavity, a small projection or indentation 18 is provided in the side of the finger piece.

In use the operator slips the hollow step over the projecting end 6 of the central electrode, and then the tool is forced down between the central electrode and the sec ondary electrode and into the cavity.

The purpose of inclining the yoke of the central electrode is to permit of the insertion of the tool, and as the lateral ends of the secondary electrode are in axial alinemen-t with the central electrode. it follows that the blades must be offset from the center to permit them to freely pass. and enter the cavity. Obviously it is for this reason the blades are disposed one side the axis of the stem. otherwise the secondary electrode would have to be displaced, or else considerable difliculty would be experienced in inserting the tool.

lVhen the tool is finally seated in the cavity. it substantially fills the space between the secondary electrode, and the bottom wall of the cavity, then the operator with a little pressure rotates the finger piece, and the sides and ends of the blades scrape the walls, and remove the accumulated soot or carbon. As the blades are rotated, the joint between the insulation and the shell is effectually cleaned. and as the end of the stem fits snugly around the central electrode and the body of the insulation at the bottom of the cavity, it follows. that the joint between these two elements is also cleaned. lVhile I emphasize the fact that the joints between the parts are cleaneo, wh ch are of course the vital places requiring the removal of the carbon, the fact must not be lost. sight of that the whole interior of the cavity is scraped.

After the tool is rotated back and forth several times, it is brought into the same position as when inserted, and is withdrawn. To facilitate the withdrawing. and to prevent the upper ends of the blades being caught on the lateral ends of the secondary' electrode, the corners 17 of the blades are bent. as described. Consequently, even if the tool is not accurately positioned to withdraw it. when the tool is raised the bent ends will engage the secondary electrode and a cam action is imparted to the tool, and it is automatically positioned so that it can be withdrawn without interference.

As stated, the edges of the blades taper, so also the cavity, hence as the tool and the walls of the cavity wear, the tool accommodates itself and fits snugly the cavity, with the result that cleaning of the worn surfaces of a plug is as effective as when the walls were first subjected to the action of the tool.

The invention is such that the cavity of a spark plug can be quickly and conveniently cleaned, and by its use all liability of short circuit between the respective elec' trodes is elfectually prevented.

What I claim is:

1. As an article of manufacture, a spark plug or other cleaner consisting of a stem member provided with radially and longitudinally extended directly connected b ades.

each blade having a terminal and provided between said blades with a recess adapted to straddle a spark plug electrode or other projection.

As an article of manufacture, a spark plug cleaner consisting of a stem provided with radially and longitudinally extended blades, each having a terminal cuttingedge, the stem being hollow to straddle a spark plug electrode.

3. As an article of manufa ture, a spark plug cleaner consisting of a stem provided with laterally and longitudinally extended tapered blades having side and end cutting edges, the stem being hollow to straddle a spark plug electrode.

4. As an article of manufacture. a spark plug cleaner consisting of a hollow stem provided with laterally and longitudinally extended tapered blades having outer cutting edges, the upper outer corners of the blades being tapered, the hollow stein being adapted to engage a spark plug electrode.

A. tool for cleaning spark plugs comprising a hollow stein having a metal plate secured thereto and its ends extended laterally to form a pair of blades. the blades being disposed out of axial alinement with the stem and their outer edges being tapered.

In testimony whereof I affix my signatur in the presence of two witnesses.

JAMES C. ANDERSON,

lVitnesses HARRY R. Lovnnnss, S. T. Donsnr'r.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each. by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

